Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and 7 Operating Systems (32 bit and 64 bit). ASCOM drivers are available for use with a number of popular image processing programs, such as Nebulosity, ImagesPlus, and more

The Orion StarShoot Pro V2.0 Deep Space Color CCD imaging Camera provides professional astrophotography performance at a picture-perfect affordable price. The StarShoot Pro V2.0 boasts refined features and imaging functionality usually found in CCD cameras offered at much higher prices.

Our enhanced Orion StarShoot Pro V2.0 Deep Space Color CCD camera brings cooled, multi-megapixel color imaging into the realm of never-before-seen affordability. Its Sony 6.1-megapixel color Charge Coupled Device (CCD) chip boasts a 3032 x 2016 pixel array in a 25.10mm x 17.64mm format. That gives the Pro 6.5 times the image area and over four times the pixels as similarly priced astrophotography CCD cameras. In fact, it uses the same chip found in cameras costing thousands more! The Pro’s square 7.8 micron pixel size provides an excellent balance between high resolution and sensitivity. With some cameras in cooler weather conditions, condensation can form on the surface of the optical window, due to the temperature of the optical window being affected by the cooled CCD. Our enhanced design prevents this by virtue of increased distance between the CCD chip and the optical window. You get detail-rich shots with enough resolution to make large format color prints!

The Orion StarShoot Pro V2.0 is thermoelectrically cooled to dramatically reduce thermal noise. A small fan on the back enhances cooling efficiency even more. Now, thermoelectric cooling can be manually shut off via software control, to eliminate dew in extreme outdoor conditions. The new software control also enables fan speed regulation. The Pro’s 16-bit dynamic range gives it a leg-up on most Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras, which offer 10- to 14-bit A/D conversion. Made in Canada, the StarShoot Pro V2.0 also features 2x2 binning and high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity for speedy astroimage downloading. Power is supplied via a single 12-volt DC cigarette lighter plug on a 10 foot cable. All this comes neatly packed in a custom hard carrying case.

As an added bonus, Orion StarShoot Pro V2.0 Deep Space Color CCD Imaging Camera owners will receive a $100 discount off the purchase of MaximDL Basic, DL Pro or DL Pro Suite software! Just register your camera with the unique serial number it ships with and you will be eligible for a $100 discount off select versions of MaxImDL software.

ASCOM drivers are available for the Orion StarShoot Pro V2.0 Deep Space Color CCD Imaging Camera for use with a number of other popular image processing programs, such as Nebulosity, ImagesPlus, and more.

Warranty

Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact us at 800-676-1343.

Warning

Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.

Imaging chip

Short for "charge-coupled device," a CCD chip is a light-sensitive electronic detector used in making astronomical images. Sensitive over a wide range of wavelengths, and much more efficient than film in gathering light, CCDs are often used to image extremely faint objects.

A/D conversion

The Analog to Digital Converter (A/D Converter) transfers the raw analog signal captured by the camera to a digital value. The digital value is sent to the computer in ADUs (Analog to Digital Units). The A/D Converter also determines the bit resolution of the analog to digital conversion. The more bit resolution the A/D Converter has, the greater the range of ADUs, which yields a better range of image contrast from the camera. (If "X" equals the bit resolution of the A/D Converter, then 2expX = total range of ADUs.) For example, many commercial digital cameras use a 12-bit A/D Converter which has 4,096 ADUs, and high-end astronomical CCD cameras typically use a 16-bit A/D Converter which has 65,536 ADUs.

Thermoelectric cooling

A thermoelectric cooler draws heat away from the chip, which lowers the overall electronic "noise" in the resulting image. For every 6º drop in temperature, the dark noise in the image is reduced by half.

IR filter

CCD cameras are very sensitive to a wide range of wavelengths, including farther out into the infra-red spectrum than we can see by eye. Normally this is never a problem when looking through the telescope, but a sensitive CCD camera will see this slightly out of focus region of the spectrum, resulting in fatter stars than normal. An IR filter will cut out this region of the spectrum leaving tightly focused stars and a better overall image.

Binning

Binning 1x1 simply means each pixel counts as one pixel. Binning 2x2 or more is a method of increasing the sensitivity of a CCD camera at the expense of resolution. Adjacent pixels are summed together into ?super-pixels? which have better signal-to-noise ratio. So for example, binning 2x2 would cause 4 pixels to act as one larger pixel, providing a quarter of the resolution, but approximately four times the sensitivity.

Warranty

This warranty gives you specific legal rights. It is not intended to remove or restrict your other legal rights under applicable local consumer law; your state or national statutory consumer rights governing the sale of consumer goods remain fully applicable.

Orders received by 1pm Eastern Time for in-stock items ship the same business day. Orders received after 1pm will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.

What is Periodic Error Correction or PEC?
Periodic Error Correction, or PEC for short, is a system that improves the track accuracy for the drive by reducing the number of the user corrections. PEC is designed to improve photographic quality by reducing the amplitude of the worm errors. Using the PEC function is a two-step process. First you guide for at least 5 ½ minutes (the time it takes the worm to make one revolution) during which the system records the corrections you make. This “teaches” the PEC chip the characteristics of the worm. The second step is to play back the corrections you made during one recording phase. Keep in mind, this feature is for the advanced astrophotographer and requires careful guiding.

How do I clean any of the optical lenses?
Any quality optical lens cleaning tissue and optical lens cleaning fluid specifically designed for multi-coated optics can be used to clean the exposed lenses of your eyepieces or finder scope. Never use regular glass cleaner or cleaning fluid designed for eyeglasses. Before cleaning with fluid and tissue, blow any loose particles off the lens with a blower bulb or compressed air. Then apply some cleaning fluid to a tissue, never directly on the optics. Wipe the lens gently in a circular motion, then remove any excess fluid with a fresh lens tissue. Oily finger-prints and smudges may be removed using this method. Use caution; rubbing too hard may scratch the lens. On larger lenses, clean only a small area at a time, using a fresh lens tissue on each area. Never reuse tissues.

When I use my motor drive, the moon drifts from the field of view.
The moon moves at a slightly slower rate from East to West than sidereal rate, so the motor speed needs to be reduced. If it North or South, the polar alignment should be checked.

Can I do astrophotography with my Orion SkyQuest XT?
SkyQuest XT Dobsonians are designed for visual, not photographic use. The Dobsonian mount is not an equatorial type mount, so it cannot be motor driven for long exposure astrophotography. You can take great shots of the moon with film or digital camera, but that is the extent of astrophotography with a Dobsonian telescope.
How do I clean any of the optical lenses?
Any quality optical lens cleaning tissue and optical lens cleaning fluid specifically designed for multi-coated optics can be used to clean the exposed lenses of your eyepieces or finder scope. Never use regular glass cleaner or cleaning fluid designed for eyeglasses. Before cleaning with fluid and tissue, blow any loose particles off the lens with a blower bulb or compressed air. Then apply some cleaning fluid to a tissue, never directly on the optics. Wipe the lens gently in a circular motion, then remove any excess fluid with a fresh lens tissue. Oily finger-prints and smudges may be removed using this method. Use caution; rubbing too hard may scratch the lens. On larger lenses, clean only a small area at a time, using a fresh lens tissue on each area. Never reuse tissues.
How do I troubleshoot 64 bit Windows driver installation?
Trouble shooting Vista 64 Drivers - 04/2010
If 32 bit drivers have been installed on a 64 bit computer running Windows 7 or Vista:

1. If there has been a previous installation, the camera should be plugged into the computer.
2. Click on start.
3. Click on Control Panel.
4. Click on Hardware and Sound.
5. Click on Device Manager.
6. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
7. Right click on Orion StarShoot camera.
8. Click OK when the warning message appears.
9. Click on uninstall and check the box to uninstall all associated software, click OK.
10. Go to Control Panel and uninstall any StarShoot software such as PHD
11. In windows explorer, find the c:\windows\system32\drivers folder and delete the file named ssagload.sys.
12. Restart the computer
13. Install the 64 Bit driver as per the instructions on the web.
14. The camera should get recognized at this point.

Forcing the 64 bit driver installation when needed on Windows 7.

1. There have been some instances when the device driver wizard will not launch when you plug in the camera but the computer chimes. Open the device manager.
2. Look for Other Devices on the list of devices.
3. There may be an "Unknown Device" listed under Other devices. This is most likely the camera.
4. Double Click on the unknown device (or right click and select properties).
5. Click on the Driver tab.
6. Click on Update Driver.
7. Select Browse my computer for driver software.
8. Click on Browse and then locate the folder where the needed driver is and then click next.
9. Windows should install the driver.
10. If successful, the StarShoot camera will appear under the USB serial controllers list and the camera is now installed.

Why Buy From Orion

...This version of the StarShoot is another fine addition to the growing number of imaging products in the Orion lineup. The [StarShoot Pro V2.0] is definitely worth considering to match the needs of all types of astro-imagers.

At Orion, we are committed to sharing our knowledge and passion for astronomy and astrophotography with the amateur astronomy community. Visit the Orion Community Center for in-depth information on telescopes, binoculars, and astrophotography. You can find astrophotography "how to" tips and share your best astronomy pictures here. Submit astronomy articles, events, and reviews, and even become a featured Orion customer!